The new center represents Mercy Health’s continued growth in Lorain County. Planning for the Wellington Medical Center included careful assessment of the community’s needs, especially those that are currently underserved in southern Lorain County. The center will include in-demand services including primary care, walk-in care and occupational health. Mercy Health expects to continue expanding the center’s services after its official opening, which is projected for fall 2018.

The center will be located at 840 Patriot Drive in Wellington, on the parcel north of Burger King on Route 58. It represents a nearly $2.5-million-dollar investment in the Wellington community.

Edwin Oley, chief executive officer of Mercy Health – Lorain and senior vice president of Mercy Health, said the Wellington Medical Center will be one more way Mercy Health delivers on its commitment to the community.

“For more than 125 years, Mercy Health has been an integral part of Lorain County and deeply committed to the communities we serve,” Oley said. “As the healthcare landscape has evolved, we’ve strengthened our roots here, expanding our footprint to help improve the health status of people across Lorain County and in surrounding communities. We’re proud to continue our growth and expansion in Lorain County with the groundbreaking for our new Wellington Medical Center.”

Data show that, if given the option, consumers would choose to stay close to home for high-quality healthcare. That’s what drives Mercy Health’s investment in service expansion in Lorain County. During the planning phase for the Wellington Medical Center, Mercy Health listened to patients, providers and community leaders to understand their healthcare needs, including how they anticipate their needs will evolve in the future.

According to Healthy People 2020, an initiative of the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, access to care has a significant impact on a person’s overall health and well-being. Regular, reliable access to needed healthcare services – especially primary care – can help prevent disease and disability, lead to faster detection and treatment of illnesses, improve quality of life, reduce the likelihood of premature death and increase life expectancy.

The Honorable Hans Schneider, mayor of the Village of Wellington, said this access is also a key way to strengthen a community.

Dr. Saadia Hussain Mercy Health Wellington

Wellington Mayor Hans Schneider

“Access to quality healthcare services is one of the amenities that helps a community to thrive,” Schneider said. “So it’s fitting that the doors to the Mercy Health Wellington Medical Center will open in 2018, as our village celebrates its bicentennial. We’re grateful to Mercy Health, Ross Builders and all of the individuals who will be part of ensuring innovative, sustainable healthcare services will continue to be at the core of what makes this community unique.”

One of the most exciting features of the Mercy Health Wellington Medical Center will be Walk-In Care. The concept enables patients to access traditional primary care in a quick-service, walk-in environment. No appointment is required and these centers tend to offer shorter wait times and lower copays than urgent or emergency care options. The Wellington walk-in care location will be Mercy Health’s fifth in Lorain County and will be open seven days a week, with extended hours for patient convenience.

“Our vision for the Wellington Medical Center is to deliver an enhanced patient experience, including improved coordination of care, communication and convenience,” Oley said. “We remain deeply committed to improving the health of this community by ensuring access to high-quality, affordable, compassionate care where our patients live, when they want it and need it.”

About Mercy Health

Mercy Health – Lorain is a full-service, not-for-profit, integrated healthcare system, which has been providing quality healthcare to Lorain County and surrounding communities for 125 years. The health system provides inpatient, outpatient and ancillary services through its two hospitals, Mercy Regional Medical Center in Lorain and Mercy Allen Hospital in Oberlin; physician offices; and specialized facilities, including the Mercy Cancer Center, Mercy Rehabilitation Center, Mercy Diagnostic Centers and Mercy New Life Hospice. Mercy Health has been named one of Northeast Ohio’s Best Places to Work by NorthCoast 99 seven times, and its hospitals rank among the best in quality in the region, according to Ohio Hospital Compare.

Mercy Health – Lorain is part of Mercy Health, the largest health system in Ohio and one of the largest Catholic health systems in the United States. Mercy Health is headquartered in Cincinnati and has more than 450 points of care in Ohio and Kentucky. To learn more about Mercy Health – Lorain, visit www.mercy.com/Lorain.